Cristian Lucas Juan De Dios, an 18-year-old senior at Hermiston High School, was shot and killed following a fight in the parking lot of Butte Park on the evening of January 9, 2026. Born July 22, 2007, in Hermiston, Oregon, he was described as a talented young rapper, a proud uncle, and one of seven siblings. He was transported to Good Shepherd Health Care System but died during surgery; his family was notified around 2 a.m. the next morning.

The Umatilla County Major Crime Team took over the investigation. Police say everyone involved in the altercation was known to them. Multiple search warrants were executed and significant evidence collected. A 15-year-old Hermiston resident was arrested on January 13 and charged with Manslaughter in the First Degree; some reports list the suspect as 16. In all, five people — four juveniles — have been arrested. Court documents say a 19-year-old had earlier threatened a younger teen with a gun at a residence, a matter investigators have linked to the Butte Park confrontation.

Does anyone who knew Cristian or witnessed the events at Butte Park have information that could help the investigation?